Marine vehicles



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MARINE VEHICLES Filed March 25, 1968 3 Sheets-Sheet l EQSSQ Nw. NW nlQM:

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United States Patent O 3,468,276 MARINE VEHICLES Frank Bowles Pollard,2722 Ardmore Ave., Manhattan Beach, Calif. 90266, and Jack HaroldArnold, Jr.,

8035-6 Canby Ave., Reseda, Calif. 91335 Filed Mar. 25, 1968, Ser. No.715,852 Int. Cl. B63g l/00 U.S. Cl. 114-1 6 Claims ABSTRACT F THEDISCLOSURE This disclosure relates to marine vessels, and particularlyto omnidirectional marine vessels adapted for fast motion and superiormaneuverability in shallow waters. A machine vessel according to thepresent disclosure comprises a hull which is circular in plan view.Drive means is moun-ted to said hull for driving the vessel, the drivemeans being independently rotatable with respect to the hulll to drivethe hull in any desired direction. It is adaptable to carrying a widerange of armament on an independently rotatable body, and to carryingstill additional drive means for exerting lateral thrust through thecentral axis to aid the vessel in escaping from perilous circumstances.

This invention relates to marine vessels, and particularly toomnidirectional marine warfare vessels.

Hulls of marine craft have heretofore been substantially longer thanthey have been wide. rIhe ability of such craft to maneuver in confinedareas has been limited by the length of the hull and the steering radiusof the craft. By way of example, patrol boats on missions in river deltaareas of Southeast Asia have encountered manuevering diiiicu-lties dueto shallow rivers, prolific marine growth in the rivers, and densejungle vegetation fringing -the rivers. In regions such 'as SouthVietnam, where a state of insurgency presently exists, it is desirableto control river waterways which provide natural transportation routesfor the enemy. To prevent enemy control of such waterways, patrol boatswhich should be armed with a broad mix of armaments are needed to patrolthe waterways, many of which are very shallow. It has been observed thatthe enemy usually sleects ambush sites where the maneuverability of thecraft is most difiicult, to prevent the craft from concentrating itsfire power upon that of the enemy and at the same time to prevent thecraft from seeking a better position. Typically, dense vegetationfringing the waterways offers protection to the enemy while exposing thecraft to ambush.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a shallow draftmarine vessel having relatively high maneuverability within confinedareas, and the capacity for high speeds, acceleration and deceleration.The tare weight of this vehicle is quite low compared with vesselssuited for comparable missions.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a marine craftcapable of selectively concentrating re power, and at the same time becapable of such maneuvering tactics that it can readily evacuate an areaor seek better tactical positions.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a marine craftcapable of addressing its fire power against the enemy in anomnidirectional fashion while performing evasive maneuvers.

A marine craft according to the present invention comprises a hull whichis circular in plan view, together with propulsion means which can beturned in any direction independently of the hull, whereby the hull canbe maneuvered in al1 directions without rotating it around its own axis.

JCC

According -to an optional and desirable feature of the presentinvention, a weapons platform and turrets are provided on the marinecraft and the craft is capable of independently rotating the weaponsplatform and turrets with respect to the maneuvering portions of thecraft, the craft thereby providing independent rotation of the weaponryfor selected concentration of fire power and independentmaneuverabi-lity of the craft.

According to still another preferred but optional feature of theinvention, the various sections of the craft are unitized so asindividually to be removable and replaceable.

The above and other features of the present invention will be fullyunderstood from the following detailed description and the accompanyingdrawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation in cutaway cross-section of a marine craftaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a top view of the craft taken at line 2 2 in FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is a section view of the craft taken at line 3-3 in FIG. l;

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the craft taken at line 4-4 in FIG. 1; and

FIGS. 5-7 are fragmentary section views of various modifications of thecraft according to the present invention.

Referring to the drawings there is illustrated a marine surface craftaccording to the presently preferred embodiment of the presentinvention. Craft 10 includes a hull 12 constructed of suitable armormaterial, such as steel. Hull 12 has a substantially circular plan view,and includes a fiat circular base portion 14 and a conical portion 16.This is an example of a planing hull which, when sufiicient velocity isattained, will rise out of the water, thereby reducing frictional drag.The hull comprises three bodies: first body 18, second body 34, andthird body 74.

Craft 10 includes a first body 18 fxedly mounted to base portion 14, thebase and the conical portions thereby forming part of the first body, asecond body 34 journaled to the hull and to the first body, a secondbody 74 journaled to the first body. The bodies are preferablysymmetrical about the central, vertical axis 11 of the craft. Body 18includes horizontally disposed partition 20` fixedly mounted to fiatportion 14 such as by bolts, vertically disposed partitions 22, 24 and26 fixed to partition 20, and horizontally disposed partition 28 fixedto partitions 24 and 26. Chamber 30, which may form a fuel storage area,is formed between partitions 20, 24, 26 and 28, and chamber 32, whichmay form crew and fire control areas, is formed between partitions 22and 24.

Second body 34 includes conical partition 36 journaled to conicalportion 16 by means of bearings 38. Partition is mounted to partition 36and is journaled to partition 26 by means of bearings 42. Partition 44is mounted between partitions 36 and 40 to form chamber 46 therebetween,and is also journaled to partition 28 by means of bearings 48. Partitionis journaled to partition 24 by means of bearings 52. Partition 54extends over charnber 32 and supports partition 56. Partition 58 ismounted between partitions 56 and the extremities of partitions 36 and44. Partition 58 is preferably arcuate in crosssection and isconstructed of suitable armor material, such as steel. Turrets 60 aremounted to partition 58 and weapons such as guns 62 are adapted toextend from turrets 60 in a manner well known in the art. Weapons 62 maybe any suitable weapon dependent upon the intended use of craft 10,50-caliber automatic machine guns being typical of one type of weapon 62which may be used.

Water-tight hatch 64 is mounted to partition 58 to permit personnelaccess through hatch 64 and Opening I66 3 in partition 54. Thus,personnel may gain access to chamber 32 through hatch 64 and opening 66.Openings 68 and 70 are provided through partitions 24 and 50,respectively, to permit personnel access between chambers 32 yand 72,chamber 72 being formed between partitions 44, 50 and 58.

Third body 74 comprises a substantially cylindrical partition 76 havingcircular partitions 78 and 80 disposed therein. Window 82, preferably inthe form of a plastic bubble, closes the top of partition 76 formingchamber 84 therein. Chamber 86 is formed between partitions 76, 78 and80. Partition 76 is journaled to partition 22 by means of bearings 88and to partition 56 by means of bearings 90. These are thrust bearingswhich restrain the chambers axially, relative to one another. Bubble 82is preferably hinged to partition 7.6 by suitable hinge means (notshown) so that the bubble may be pivotally opened and closed to permitpersonnel to gain access to chamber 84.

As shown in FIG. l, chamber 86 preferably contains motors 96 and pump98. Fuel supply lines lead from the fuel chambers to the motor. They maybe coiled around chamber 86 in the manner of a hose reel to permit thenecessary relative rotation, Similar provisions will be made for theother control, signal and power lines. Chamber 84 is the pilots cockpitand includes control mechanism (not shown) for operating the craft.Chamber 32 is the crew and fire control area and is used to house theautomatic fire control, target acquisition and navigation equipment, aswell as the crew quarters and such other facilities as will beconsidered necessary for the craft. Preferably, chamber 32 is dividedinto a plurality of sections, such as four equal quadrants, bypartitions 100 (FIG. 3), so the four quadrants may be individuallyremoved and replaced, thereby to reduce ref pair time.

Chamber 30 may be used for storing the fuel necessary for operatingmotor 96 and is preferably divided into a plurality of sections, such asIfour quadrants, by partitions 102 and 104. Partitions 102 and 104function as -antislosh plates to prevent shifting of the fuel duringmaneuvering operations of the craft. Retractable stabilizing ns 106 aremounted between adjacent partitions 102 and 104 and are adapted to beextended and retracted through the bottom of hull 12 for navigationalpurposes.

Chamber 46 can be used for storage of ammunit1on, and a suitable opening(not shown) in partition 44 may provide automatic feed of amunition tochamber 72. Chamber 72 is conveniently used as a weapons platform fromwhich guns 62 are operated. As illustrated in the drawings, there ispreferably a plurality of substantially equally spaced turrets disposedabout the craft. As shown in FIG. 2, eight turrets are mounted to thecraft, although the number may vary in accordance with particular designrequirements. Preferably, partitions 108 sepa rate each turret platformchamber |72.

Steering of the craft is accomplished by rotating the outflow directionof a jetting device L110 (sometimes called first drive means) when awater jet is used, or of the axis of a propellor when a propellor isused. It is immaterial what portion of the hull leads, the hull beingcompletely omnidirectional. It will usually, but not always, bedesirable to have the thrust be directed rearwardly relative to thepilot, and for that reason the pilots cockpit and the motor chamber 56are rotatable together in FIG. 1. Nozzle 110 is fixed to the motorchamber, and therefore turns with it in the preferred ernbodiment.

Power for forward motion is provided by jetting device 110 which is influid communication with pump 98. Pump 98 is driven by motor 96. Asstated, jet device 110 is mounted to partition 80 so that the directionthat jet 110 assumes is dependent upon the angular disposition of thepilots cock-pit and motor chamber about axis 11 of the craft.Preferably, directional jets `112 and 114 Cil are fixedly mounted topartition to form a couple which will rotate the partition. These aresometimes called second drive means. Valves, not shown, will control thedirection and power of the couple.

There will, of course, be some drag tending to rotate the hull, but thisis opposed by Water friction. The direction any point on the hull facesrelative to forward motion is immaterial, so that random rotation of thehull is permissible. Conventional fire control systems will provide suchcompensation as is necessary to keep the armament properly aimed.However, it may be that some particular one of the weapons should facein a particular direction. For this purpose, the first body is fittedwith similar jets 120 and 122 which can rotate it. These are sometimescalled third drive means. During the rotation, partitions 26 and 40 canbe locked together to turn the first and second bodies together.Alternatively, gear means may join partitions 26 and 40, which willprovide for relative rotation of these two bodies, the effect of whichwill be, of course, a mutual counterrotation, and an independent settingof the relative positions of the two bodies. The jets will be preferred-because of their convenience, but will, of course, be most effectivewhen submerged. They are typical nozzles, and valving means willdetermine the direction and force and thereby the sense and magnitude ofthe couple.

To summarize, in operation of the craft according to FIG. 1, second body34 may be rotated about axis 11 of the craft to rotate the weaponsplatform turrets 60 to position guns 62 in a favorable location.Rotation of body 34 may be accomplished by selectively operating jets120 and 122 to rotate hull 12 about the axis of the craft. Rotation ofthe hull will cause rotation of the entire craft about the axis of thecraft. If desired, suitable locking means (not shown) may be providedbetween bodies 18 and 34 or between bodies 34 and the hull to assureproper rotation of the body. If desired, separate motor means (notshown) may be used for rotating second body 34 independently of the hull(and of the first body).

If the craft should happen to be grounded, as fotexample by becominglodged on a sandbar or the like, housing 74 may be rotated so as toposition jetting device to provide maximum thrust to the craft in adirection which would remove it from the sandbar. In addition, jettingdevices 116 such as rockets, which may be placed at angular intervalsall the way around the hull, may be selectively fired to boost the craftfrom the sandbar. .letting devices 116 are spaced about the periphery ofthe hull and are positioned to provide thrust to the craft perpendicularto the axis of the craft, and are sometimes referred to herein as fourthdrive means.

When the craft is in water, water may tend to enter the space betweenpartitions 76 and 22. Since bearings 88 are preferably water-resistant,water in the space surrounding bearings 88 between partitions 76 and 22will cause no damage. If water should enter the space between hull 12and body 34, it may simply be drained from the hull through suitabledrain holes (not shown) through the hull.

Fuel for motor 96 is delivered from fuel tanks 30 by means of suitableflexible conduits (not shown). To accomplish delivery of fuel fromrotating body 18 to rotating body 74, a suitable hose reel (not shown)may be positioned in the space between partitions 22 and 76. Suitablestop mechanisms (not shown) may be provided for such a hose reel toprevent rotation of the hose reel beyond its limit. Also, indicatingmechanism (not shown) may be provided in the pilots cockpit to indicateto the pilot the relative position of the hose on the hose reel.

The present invention thus provides a marine craft having a plurality ofindependently rotatable bodies. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 14, the pilots cockpit and drive mechanisms are independently rotatablewith respect to the hull to drive the craft in any direction.

FIG. 5 illustrates a modification of the invention wherein the motorchamber is stationary with respect to the hull, but the drive mechanismand pilots cockpit are rotatable relative to both. Common numerals areused as far as possible.

In FIG. 5, motor chamber 86 is held against rotation relative to body18, and pilots cockpit 84 is rotatable about the axis of the craft (as athird body). In this device, the pilot turns relative to the enginecompartment, and the engine compartment turns with the hull. Chamber 86is formed by partition 22 and between horizontally disposed partitions130 and 132. Chamber 84 is formed by partitions 134 and 136 and is`closed at the top by bubble 82. Partition 134 is cylindrical and isjournaled t0 partition 22 by bearing 88, and partition 136 is journaledto partition 130 by means of bearing 138. Main jetting device 110 isjournaled to partition 132 by bearing 140 and is connected to pump 98 byswivel joint 142. Jetting device 110 is nonrotatably connected topartition 136 by shaft 144 which is rotatably journaled to partition 130by means of bearing 146. A bidirectional jetting device 148 is connectedto jetting device 110 tangentially to the axis of the craft. Selectiveoperation of jet 148 will exert a torque t cause rotation of shaft 144about the axis of the craft thereby rotating main jetting device 110 andthe pilots cockpit. The direction of thrust provided by jetting device110 may thereby be selected for maneuvering purposes.

The embodiment illustrated in FIG. offers the advantage of eliminating ahose reel-type connection between the fuel supply and motor 96 sincemotor chamber 86 is fixedly connected to and rotatable with the bodycontaining the fuel tanks.

In FIG. 6 there is illustrated another modification of a marine craft inaccordance with the present invention wherein the pilots cockpit 84 isfixed to body 18 but motor chamber 86 is freely rotatable about the axisof the craft. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6, chamber 84 isformed between partition 22, bubble 84 and partition 150. Chamber 86 isformed by cylindrical partition 152 which is journaled to partition 22by means of bearing 88 and by horizontally disposed partitions 154 and156. Partition 154 is journaled to partition 150 by means of bearings138 and partition 156 supports jetting devices 112 and 114 for rotationof chamber 86 about the axis of the craft in a manner similar to theoperation illustrated in FIGS. 1-4.

letting device 110 is in fluid communication with pump 98 which isdriven by motor 96. As in the embodiment of FIGS. 1-4, a suitable hosereel-type connection may be utilized for delivering fuel to motor 96. Ifdesired, mechanical steering apparatus such as steering wheel 158 may bemounted in the pilots cockpit 84 and connected to shaft 160 which inturn is connected to partition 154 and journaled to partition 150 bymeans of bearings 162. This illustrates another means for mechanicallyturning the steering means relative to the hull. Rotation of wheel 158causes rotation of chamber 86 about the axis of the craft to therebyturn jetting device 110` in the desired direction of movement of thecraft. If desired, suitable openings 164 may be provided in partition 22to permit access between pilots cockpit 84 and the crew and fire controlchamber 32.

FIG. 7 illustrates another modification of the marine craft according tothe present invention wherein the pilots cockpit 84 and motor chamber 86are both separately rotatable relative to the hull and to each otheraround the axis of the craft. In this instance, pilots cockpit 84 isformed between bubble 82 and partition 136 and by cylindrical partition134 which is journaled to partition 22 by means of bearing 88. Chamber86 (third body) is formed by partitions 152, 154 and 156 and includessteering jets 112 and 114 for purposes hereinbefore described, andmechanical steering wheel 158 mounted in the pilots cockpit andjournaled to partition 136 by means of bearing 162 for mechanicallyrotating the motor chamber. This embodiment may be converted to theother embodiments by selectively locking sections to each other. Theembodiment illustrated in FIG. 7 offers the additional advantage ofpermitting the pilot to rotate his cockpit independently of the craftand independently of the motor chamber, to enable the pilot to surveythe area surrounding the craft. Like the embodiments illustrated inFIGS. 1-4 and '6, a suitable hose reel-type connection may be providedfor delivering fuel to motor 96.

The flat-sloped shape of the upper surface of the craft discouragespenetration by shells, and requires less armor for this purpose thanconventional structure. Thus, the craft may be lighter than prior artcrafts.

Only one embodiment of bottom is shown. It is intended to typify thewide family of planing hulls. In general these hulls have a leadingsection with a fairly flat slope, and then a at or gently `convexbottom. Their feature is that of rising in, and partly out of the waterat some critical velocity, whereby to reduce power requirementsotherwise expanded in forming a bow wave.

A water jet is shown for propulsion. Water is withdrawn from outside,and then pumped through a discharge nozzle which ordinarily works bestwhen submerged, although it also works when above water. Propellor-typedrives can also be used, but they must be attached to a mast so as toremain submerged.

The various illustrated central structures are all useful with the sameoutside hull, and they may be substituted for each other as units, andthe hull sections are also readily removed and replaced.

The pilot of this craft need be provided with only the simplest types ofcontrols. Essentially they comprise means for orienting the direction ofapplication of power, and for rotating the hull or the second body tobring selected armamelnt to bear. In normal cruising operation, theangular orientation of the hull is immaterial. It is also immaterialwhether the pilot turns with the jet. This is a matter of choice, and asshown in FIG. 6 independent orientation means can be provided for allsections.

A postulated craft according to this invention requires a draft of only1.5 feet and cruises at 23 knots with a flank speed of 38 knots.Conventional patrol craft require between 2 and 3 feet of draft and havecruising speeds of approximately 15 knots and flank speeds ofapproximately 24 knots. A fully armed and fueled craft according to thepresent invention is capable of carrying substantially more payload thanconventional craft. By way of example, the payload-to-weight ratio of afully armed, fully fueled conventional craft is approximately 20%, whilea craft in accordance with the present invention will havepayloadto-weight ratio of 50% A calculated gross weight for a riverinecraft of this type with a plan diameter of 36 feet is 25,844 pounds. Itsdraft is only 1.5 feet -compared with about twice that for other craft.Its ammunition capacity is nearly double that of other craft. 'Iheradially directed rocket means (fourth drive means) enable the craft tobe dislodged from beaching predicaments without aid from others.

This craft is expected to be operated by only three men: a pilot, agunner, and a navigator-engine man, and constitutes an economy ofmanpower at the same time that its low, flat silhouette provides the menwith far greater security from hostile action. Furthermore, theillustrated shapes are inherently safer against blast effects, andcalculations indicate that the illustrated craft will resist underwaterblasts of pounds of explosives at a distance of 20 feet.

A typical armament mix will include at least eight major weapons. Thismany major weapons cannot currently be accommodated in shallow-draftvessels, and the instant invention greatly increases the fire poweravailable for riverine missions.

The extraordinary freedom of design and operation is further illustratedin FIG. 1 wherein the weapons mix can 7 be turned freely relative to thehull, or locked to the hull and turned by and with it.

The riverine craft according to the present invention is thereforehighly useful in marine warfare, and particularly as a patrol warcraftin regions requiring small draft craft. The craft is highlymaneuverable, economical of manpower, adapted to carry very heavyarmament, and is readily serviced and repaired.

What is claimed is:

1. A marine vessel having a circular plan hull with an outer surfaceformed as a surface of revolution around an upright central axis, saidhull comprising a iirst body for providing useful space, a second bodyjournaled to the rst body for rotation around said central axis to serveas a weapons platform; a third body centrally journaled in said firstbody for rotation around said central axis; rst drive means fixedlymounted to said third body and adapted to exert a lateral force on thehull; second drive means mounted to said third body to rotate the samerelative to the first body and determine the direction of said lateralforce; third drive means mounted to said first body to and adapted toexert a tangential force to rotate the first body around the centralaxis; and fourth drive means comprising a plurality of radially spacedapart jet producing devices each mounted to the rst body and adapted toexert a lateral force on the hull through the central axis.

2. A marine vessel according to claim 1 in which the hull is a planinghull.

3. A marine vessel according to claim 2 in which the hull furtherincludes a fourth body rotatably journaled t the first body on thecentral axis for independent rotation relative thereto, the first drivemeans being mounted to said third body, and the fourth body alsocarrying controls for the vessel.

4. A marine vessel having a circular plan hull with an outer surfaceformed as a surface of rotation around an upright central axis, saidhull comprising a first body for providing useful space and a secondbody journaled to the first body for independent rotation relativethereto around said central axis, weapons means mounted to said secondbody, and first drive means mounted to said hull and independentlyrotatable around said central axis, adapted to exert a lateral force onsaid hull to drive the same, the direction being determined by turningthe iirst drive means, said first and second bodies being independentlyrotatable relative to said hull about said axis.

5. A marine vessel according to claim 4 in which the hull is a planinghull.

6. A marine vessel having a circular plan hull with an outer surfaceformed as a surface of revolution around an upright central axis, firstdrive means mounted to the hull and independently rotatable around saidcentral axis adapted to exert a lateral force on said hull to drive thesame, the direction being determined by turning the iirst drive means,and additional drive means comprising a plurality of angularly spacedapart jet producing devices mounted to said hull, each of which iscapable of providing lateral thrust to the vessel.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 8/1967 Sharp 9-1 7/1968 Buster d115-12 U.S. C1. X.R. 9-1

